Tag: Breastmilk

The unique composition of sugars in a mother’s breastmilk may prevent food allergies in her infant, according to a study published in the latest issue of Allergy.

The study highlighted the health role of Human Milk Oligosaccharides, which are not found in infant formula, suggesting a potential for therapeutic interventions.

HMOs are structurally complicated sugar molecules unique to human breast milk, and the third most abundant solid component in human milk after lactose, a different type of sugar, and fat.

They are not actually digestible by infants, but could help guide development of the infant gut microbiota, which previous research suggests is a key influencer of allergic disease.

Previous studies have shown that breastfed infants have a lower risk for a variety of medical conditions, such as wheezing, infections, asthma and obesity.

Researchers at the University of California (UC), San Diego School of Medicine and their colleagues in Canada analyzed breastmilk samples taken three-to-four months after birth from 421 infants and mothers.

Then, at one year of age, infants were given skin prick tests to check for allergic sensitization to common allergens, including certain foods.

The team found that 59 of 421 infants (14 per cent) displayed sensitisation to one or more food allergens at age one.

“Our research has identified a ‘beneficial’ HMO profile that was associated with a lower rate of food sensitisation in children at one year,” said Lars Bode, associate professor of paediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine, who led the study.

No individual HMO was associated with food sensitization, but the overall HMO composition appeared to play a role, according to the study.

According to The Mail, she had saved the milk for her son, Truett, but on seeing how distressed people were as a result of the flood, she decided to donate them as relief materials.

“We have each other’s backs. We take care of each other,” Palmer told News4 of her fellow mums.

“Breastfeeding is hard. Whether you’re pumping or feeding or however it may be, it’s hard. And we are like momma bears. We protect one another.”

Palmer narrated that her son takes most of his meal through infusion therapy (IV) because he was born with a congenital heart problem, among other diseases. This explains the reason why she had breast milk stored in the freezer.

Palmer was advised by her son’s speech therapist to donate some of the breast milk to the Harvey victims; and having experienced how hard it is to raise a child from her experience with Truett, she saw it as a very good opportunity to help others.

She said, “With Truett’s heart defect, I don’t take that lightly; but I also know I’m grateful for the situation God placed us in.

“It’s given us the opportunity to do other things, I mean had we not been in this situation, we wouldn’t be able to share some of our love with the babies in Houston.”

It was learnt that local organisation, Guiding Star Missouri, will drive the refrigerated milk from Dallas to the city, where it will be distributed to those who show interest in it.

This will be very helpful to mums who lost their own supplies during blackouts or who lost their pumps when they were forced out of their homes — and to moms stressed out by the tragic events.

Palmer added, “With breastfeeding, stress plays a big role in your supply. If you become stressed, your supply will drop.”

Palmer says that all the milk distributed by Guiding Star is rigorously tested to ensure it’s safe.

BabyCenter reports breast milk can last for up to six months once frozen.

Exchanging breast milk is legal, and the liquid requires no special handling other than refrigeration; and besides, the chances of illness caused by sharing breast milk are very low, says Centres for Disease Control.